The Technology and Information Services Department will support all buildings in the district to use technology as a tool to achieve excellence in learning for educators, efficiency in work production, and students prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow's world. Our department will realize this vision by striving to attain the highest level of access and technical support enabling students, staff, educators, and administrators the opportunity to learn current technologies that may not otherwise be available.

To aid in this endeavor, the Technology and Information Services Department is comprised of a Director and five technicians fully qualified to implement, support, and maintain a robust Wide Area Network, multiple workstations and peripherals.

Norwich Teachers use Technology Skills in the Classroom

In a continuing effort to increase the use of Technology Integration into the classrooms at Norwich City Schools, seven teachers who were the original cohort of the Technology Integration Project (TIP) are currently using their training to further the education of their students.                                                                                                         

The seven teachers are:  Marge Kalicicki, 2nd grade teacher at Stanford Gibson; Jerry Lawton, 3rd grade teacher at Stanford Gibson; Wendy Irwin, 5th grade teacher, Perry Browne; Barb Hotchkin, 5th grade teacher, Perry Browne, Jen Westervelt, 7th grade English teacher, Norwich Middle School, Michael Messere, 8th grade science teacher, Norwich Middle School, and Richard Turnbull, high school social studies teacher.

One of the stated outcomes of TIP is to not only have the teachers trained in using the technology, but to have the students share in the learning and use of technology.  “The use of technology in the classroom equips students with the knowledge that will be necessary for success in the future”, said Jen Westervelt, 7th grade English teacher at Norwich Middle School.  Jerry Lawton, 3rd grade teacher at Stanford Gibson had his students create a PowerPoint presentation to display to the parents at open house this fall.  “They ran the controls and proudly displayed them to their parents on the SMARTBoard” said Mr. Lawton.

Research has shown that the use of technology in the classroom by teachers and students helps to motivate the students in class.  “In addition, the students are motivated by the hands-on learning opportunities technology offers”, stated Jen Westervelt, 7th grade English teacher at Norwich Middle School.

The integration techniques taught during the project by consultant Bruce Bonney, Leading Edge, LLC and Peter Somich, Director of Technology and Information Services were; using digital photography, using graphic organizers, using PowerPoint shows, the use of a SMARTBoard, and using program templates.  The largest use has been the interactive SMARTBoard.  A SMARTBoard allows the teachers and students to interact with lessons, the web, video, and sound during class.

Rich Turnbull said, “Kids are excited, they really like to interact with the SMARTBoard”.  “It is such a helpful tool; the sky is the limit for student learning and teaching with this tool”

The use of technology is a change from tradition al teaching and takes some time to learn.  “Changing to a technology based classroom is a process” stated Mr. Turnbull. 

There are nine more teachers in this years TIP Cohort who are going through a similar experience.  These teachers will be able to use the technology during this school year.  Additionally, more than fifty teachers who have signed up for the six hour training course given by Mr. Somich to receive a SMARTBoard in their classroom via the building project during the summer of 2008.  The District is extremely excited to have the commitment of these teachers to learn new ways to educate our students.